A group of 25 New Denver School survivors is calling on Premier David Eby to remove a declaration that the elements of the financial compensation package attached to the recent Sons of Freedom Doukhobor apology were 害羞草研究所渞ecommended by the Sons of Freedom community.害羞草研究所�
In the 1950s, approximately 200 children were taken from their parents, primarily because their parents identified as Sons of Freedom Doukhobors who opposed government policies and regulations, including refusing to send their children to public school. They were placed in government institutions such as the New Denver School, a former tuberculosis sanatorium.
In his , B.C. Ombudsperson Jay Chalke estimated there were between 70 and 100 survivors still alive.
In an apology given in Castlegar on Feb. 1 and Grand Forks on Feb. 2, B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma promised $10 million for legacy initiatives to 害羞草研究所渉elp provide a deeper understanding of the impact of historical injustices, what is needed to prevent similar occurrences in the future and to help those impacted by these historical wrongs.害羞草研究所�
The funding also included allocations for counselling services and other wellness initiatives.
However, the group of survivors say they were never consulted regarding the compensation package and were unaware of the recommendations.
害羞草研究所淧remiere Eby, it is imperative we bring to your attention a significant error communicated in the apology,害羞草研究所� states the group in a letter sent to Eby, Attorney General Niki Sharma, Kootenay West MLA Katrine Conroy, Nelson-Creston MLA Brittny Anderson and Boundary-Similikameen MLA Roly Russel. 害羞草研究所淚t is stated in the apology that 害羞草研究所� 害羞草研究所榯he Province of British Columbia will be contributing $10 million in funding to support legacy initiatives recommended by the Sons of Freedom community 害羞草研究所π卟菅芯克鶛 This statement is incorrect and misleading.害羞草研究所�
The letter goes on to state that the Sons of Freedom community did not provide any recommendations to the government regarding legacy initiatives.
The group believes the recommendations came from just a few people, the majority of whom were not survivors.
害羞草研究所淭hat small number cannot speak for an entire community,害羞草研究所� says the group.
In the days since the apology and funding announcement, a number of survivors have been vocal about their disappointment that the survivors themselves will not see any direct personal payments.
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害羞草研究所淲e remain very disappointed in the concealed process that led to the legacy fund and compensation package brought forward by the Province of B.C. We do not agree with the B.C. government moving forward with the agreement without our participation,害羞草研究所� said the group.
They are also requesting survivor involvement in determining how the funding will be structured and how decision making and distribution of the funding will occur.
In a response to a request from Castlegar News seeking clarification on the consulations, a spokesperson for the Attorney General said the government has been engaging in 害羞草研究所渆xtensive conversations害羞草研究所� with various members of the Sons of Freedom and broader Doukhobor communities since 2019.
They said that included hearing directly from many survivors.
But the Attorney General declined to disclose who they spoke to or how many people were involved due to 害羞草研究所減rivacy concerns.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淒etermining the most effective form of compensation (individual or community-based) for healing is a complex issue without a straightforward solution,害羞草研究所� said the Attorney General害羞草研究所檚 spokesperson.
害羞草研究所淲hile we understand that the package announced may not meet everyone害羞草研究所檚 expectations, we remain confident that it will help those affected access a wide range of resources for their healing journey.害羞草研究所�
Eby is scheduled to make the apology a final time in the provincial legislature on Feb. 27.
The group is asking the premier to change the reference to the Sons of Freedom community recommending legacy initiatives before he issues that apology.
害羞草研究所淭his is an appeal for transparency, clarity and honesty,害羞草研究所� says the group.
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